VILLAGE PLANS - Offaly County Council

OFFALY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2009 - 2015
Volume 2 - Settlement Plans
RIVERSTOWN VILLAGE PLAN
1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND
DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT
The settlement plans stem directly from the policies
and objectives contained in the County Development
Plan with particular reference to Chapter 4, “Settlement
Strategy” and Chapter 18, “Land Use and Zoning”. This is
to facilitate the growth of a hierarchy of well-planned,
sustainable and complementary settlements
throughout the county presented in a consistent
manner to allow ease of interpretation and
implementation.
Riverstown has been designated as a village within
Offaly’s settlement hierarchy, as set out in Chapter 4 of
the County Development Plan 2009-2015. This
settlement plan along with the zoning map is seen as a
specific view of the village so that development
pressures can be focused and properly managed in
order that the settlement can fulfil this role effectively.
This village plan for Riverstown pertains to that portion
of the village within Co. Offaly only. It is recognised that
the bulk of services provision, development and growth
within ‘Riverstown’, in its entirety, will predominantly
occur within the portion of Riverstown village located
in Co. Tipperary.
1.1 Location
Riverstown is a rural settlement located in west Offaly
on the N52. The Offaly / North Tipperary border runs
through the centre of this settlement and follows the
line of the Little Brosna River. This village is located
approximately 2km southwest of the town of Birr. It is
estimated that the current population within the Offaly
portion of this village is less than 60 persons. However,
the population of the entirety of the settlement,
including the area located within County Tipperary, is
significantly higher than this.
1.2 Settlement Form
The settlement at Riverstown is very traditional in
origin. The existing settlement within County Offaly is
predominantly linear and is centred on the bridge over
the Little Brosna River. There are currently a number of
detached houses on large sites along constituent routes
and a small number of semi-detached dwellings located
in the centre of the portion of this village within County
Offaly. Further, there are also a small number of
farmsteads sited within the village.
The settlement has a very attractive setting, with the
roads within Riverstown sloping down towards the
Little Brosna River. The approach roads have views
down towards the river and the well maintained streets,
giving the village a quaint and rural feel.
Riverstown is a predominantly low rise and very lowdensity
settlement, which contains a number of
different building styles.
1.3 Context
Riverstown has been designated as a village within
Offaly’s settlement hierarchy, as set out in Chapter 4 of
the County Development Plan 2009-2015. A village
boundary has been identified for that portion of
Riverstown Village within County Offaly and is shown
on the accompanying map. This is intended to
delineate an area which will consolidate development
within the delineated village boundary in order to
protect the residential amenity of the area.
2.0 SERVICES AND SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1 Water Supply
Riverstown is currently serviced by a Public Group Water
Supply Scheme. The water for this scheme is provided
by the Birr Public Scheme. Permitted development will
be contingent on on-going improvement works and the
provision of an adequate water supply.
2.2 Waste Water
Riverstown is serviced by a pumping station owned and
operated by North Tipperary County Council. The
pumped effluent from this station is treated by the Birr
February 2009 | Riverstown Village Plan | page 148